The well-known mural, Pan American Unity, created by famous Latino artist Diego Rivera was crafted in 1940 on Treasure Island as a part of the Golden Gate International Exposition. Rivera made the vibrant mural as a gift to San Francisco.

In the mural, Rivera highlighted American culture, politics, and religion while also portraying the Latino community and its role in American history. The painting was made to show the individuality and likeness of both Latino and American society.

Since it was created, it spent many years at the Diego Rivera Theatre at City College, and then time in storage being restored, followed by a stint at the SF MOMA, but in recent developments is intended to move back to the CCSF campus theater on Frida Kahlo Way when it is completed.

Many feel this is where the mural should stay, seeing as Rivera was Frida Kahlo’s husband.

Juvenal Orozco ’26 shared, “As a Latino, I feel proud that his art is finally coming out of storage,” he said.

“This street has no meaning right now, and I think this painting will fix that.” Many feel a special connection to the mural. Kathleen Demeter ’27 voiced, “Especially with everything going on with ICE and deportation, the mural shows that Latinos make up a significant part of our culture,” she said. “They are just as much Americans as we are and this painting says that.”

Art teacher Irman Arcibal expressed, “Since human histories are cyclical, many themes in artworks like these come and go, become old but then also become fresh and new. It is important to make these connections across time.”

With San Francisco being a sanctuary city, students feel Rivera was ahead of his time in giving Pan American Unity to the community. Moreover, even after over 80 years, the painting still holds value and relevance to current world events.